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Offline cricman

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A couple of firsts...
« on: November 11, 2004, 02:46:02 PM »
I took my Handi in 270 out on Tuesday.  It was my first time to hunt deer.  I have been a bird and small game hunter for several years, but never had the opportunity to hunt deer.  I got up in my tripod at about 3:00 p.m., got quiet, and relaxed (okay, it was such a beautiful day, I got sleepy!) and waited.  At 5:15, a very nice 8 point came trotting toward me.  As he slipped behind a clump of cedars, I moved my handi in the direction he was heading.  Because he completely caught me by surprise, I almost panicked; he was moving like he was on a mission and I didn't have a lot of time to make a shot!  I had a grunt call, but no time to blow a grunt.  As he came from behind the cedars, I blurted out a quasi-grunt.  It worked, and he stopped dead in his tracks and looked behind him!  I touched off another first; a classic heart/lung shot just behind his elbow. My heart sank as he trotted off with hardly a blink.  I knew I had a good point of aim, but being my first deer, I started to doubt my shot.  I waited a few minutes, and climbed down from my tripod.  I paced off a mere 60 yards, and looked in the direction he headed.  I found him 30 yards from the point of impact.  Another first, my first Buck!  8 very symmetrical points, 16 3/4" at the widest point.  Not a monster, but nice.  I found 2 things interesting;  (1) The 150 grain Remington core-lokt went through him leaving such a small exit wound,  and (2) how, in-spite of the what seemed like poor bullet performance, his internals were essentially shattered.  As far as usable meat, it looked like the bullet entered between 2 ribs, and only grazed a rib going out, so I will be filling the freezer with no waste.  I got lucky!  

I am now as pleased as I can be with my Handi.  I would have liked to test it on a longer shot, but I'm not complaining.  The Handi did what I expected of it, without any surprises.  I was considering buying another makers .223 single shot, but I'm going to stick with a Handi.  Yes I know they don't do great with heavy bullets, but this will be my varmint gun.  Another guy on the same lease shot a 30 pound bobcat last week, and I know the hills are crawling with coyotes.

Long live the Handi-Rifle!  Long live GBO and this awesome forum!

Good luck and good hunting ya'll,

cricman
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Offline Mac11700

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2004, 02:53:51 PM »
Congrats...on your first Handi kill...they are great little guns...and you can be pround you took a nice buck for your first deer....don't worry too much about how those ole core-loclks expanded...it did it's job and you cleanly harvested your buck...doesn't get much better than that... :D


Mac
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Offline single shot shooter

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2004, 03:04:12 PM »
nice job on your buck. there will be many more to come  :grin:
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Offline Nuttinbutchunks

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2004, 03:24:38 PM »
Yeah, congratulations on your first deer. I went deer hunting for the first time here in Utah, and didn't see anything with antlers. I should do better next year since I will have my act together better. It sucks being new. I didn't put if for the draw cause I didn't know I was supposed to in January. I had to buy a permit when all the good ones were taken  :(

Oh well. Anyway, I'm envious. Welcome to the forum. Enjoy your Handi.
Nuttin
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Ohhhh, I hate when that happens :eek:

Offline Donaldo

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2004, 03:30:54 PM »
cricman
Congratulations on your first deer.  You will never forget it.   :-)
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Offline MSP Ret

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2004, 03:58:30 PM »
:agree: Congratulations and good work, many more to come I am sure....<><.... :grin:
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Offline Stan in SC

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Comgratulations!
« Reply #6 on: November 11, 2004, 04:02:40 PM »
Good story.Evidently a nice deer.
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Offline cricman

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Link to a pic
« Reply #7 on: November 11, 2004, 04:50:29 PM »
Here's a link to my Outdoors webpage.  At the bottom is a picture featuring my Handi-Rifle in .270, and my first deer.

http://webpages.charter.net/cricman/fishing

I'm still taking the whole experience in!

Long Live the Handi-Rifle! Long Live GBO and this awesome forum!
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Offline Nuttinbutchunks

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #8 on: November 11, 2004, 05:07:59 PM »
Now I'm definitely jealous :-D
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Offline De41mag

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2004, 06:27:06 PM »
WAT TO GO CRICMAN!!!!!  :grin:  :grin:  :grin:

A very beautiful deer, especially for your first one.  :-)
Definitely going on your wall, right????  :wink:

Dennis  :D
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Offline handirifle

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #10 on: November 11, 2004, 07:09:39 PM »
cricman
Congratulations.

Just a thought on the bullet.  Don't know for sure, but both my hunting buddies hunt elk with theit 270's using the 150gr bullet.  Maybe it is built a bit tough for deer??? Like I said, not sure.  Maybe a 130gr would do better?
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Offline BIGBOREFAN

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2004, 02:00:18 AM »
When I use to use a 270 Win I always used the 130 grainers. They seem to drop deer a little faster than the 150's. I beleive the 150's are more suited for black bear or elk.


BBF

PS,   I'm very jealous. That is a very nice deer. Congrats
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Offline Wlscott

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2004, 03:16:32 AM »
Thats a real nice deer.

I remember reading a quote one time, and I don't remember who wrote it so I can't attribute it to anyone in particular, but I really got a kick out of it.  It went something like this......

"At what point in the demise of the deer do you feel that your bullet failed?"  

Having said that, I agree with others that the 150 may be a little heavy for deer, and didn't open up on the smaller animal like it would have on a larger elk.  

Congrats on the first deer :wink:
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Offline poncaguy

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270
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2004, 03:44:15 AM »
Great deer! 130 grain much better for deer though. Saw a great 10 pointer last evening here in Oklahoma, about 75 yards away, too far for my crossbow :( , rifle season starts the 20th :grin:  if I can't get a closer shot before then...............
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Offline single shot shooter

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2004, 05:31:18 AM »
looks like he had a REAL nice spread. beutiful deer and a beautiful gun!
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Offline quickdtoo

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #15 on: November 12, 2004, 05:42:19 AM »
Nice buck! Great shootin and welcome to big game hunting!! :D
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Offline cricman

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #16 on: November 12, 2004, 06:27:54 AM »
Thanks for the compliments and input, ya'll.  This forum really is awesome.  

I agree about the 150 being a bit much for deer.  Heck, I know more than a dozen hunters here in Texas that shoot .22 centerfire rounds, from .221 Fireball to 22-250.  None has ever had a deer go more than 100 yards.  Of course,  they were all seasoned hunters.  In the off season, I want to try some of the 130 and 120 grain factory loads, as well as some 100 grain handloads.  I went with the 150s for a couple of reasons.  They shot the best of what was available locally (just over 1" groups at 100yds with a called flyer), and the 270 Handi will also be a hog gun.  If I can find a 130 grain load that shoots in the same vertical plain, then I can adjust the elevation  between the heavy and light bullets.  I'm hoping that I can come up with a 100 grain hand load that will shoot close to the same point of impact as the 150 grain factory load.  I'll see what happens when I take my does.  I'm hoping to make some longer shots, and then see how the bullet pereforms.  

As for mounting, I'm just going to save to skull and antlers; I guess they call it a European mount.  I'm also saving the hide for some projects.  I'm not much of a trophy hunter.  As a hunting buddy of mine says, "Heck, ya' cain't eat them horns!"  

Long Live the Handi-Rifle! Long Live GBO and this awesome forum!

cricman
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Offline fish280

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #17 on: November 12, 2004, 06:39:53 AM »
hurrah. :shock:
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Offline v8r

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A couple of firsts...
« Reply #18 on: November 13, 2004, 01:33:55 PM »
I have to agree with you on the trophy hunting.If you see a buck great, but go hunting for the enjoyment of being in the outdoors.I like deer meat and that is the only reason I go hunting, besides it is fun for me to be in peace and quiet. :grin:
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H&R Ultra Varmint .223
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